Dr. Mary Cooke of Cooke Orthodontics is one of Napa Valley’s favorite orthodontists. Dr. Cooke purchased her practice from Dr. Frank Beglin in 2005, nearly 19 years ago, and turned a relatively small business into one of the region’s largest orthodontics practices. Cooke’s expansive facility includes state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and loads of amenities for entertaining and educating the many local kids who come through their doors. Dr. Cooke is especially proud of her highly qualified and caring team, many long-serving and revered by her patients, namely Gina Clark (RDA), Wendy Rodriguez (RDA), Jessalyn Isham (RDA), and Colette Tretheway (OA). This core team is supported, in turn, by the many other hardworking professionals at Cooke Orthodontics.
Dr. Mary Cooke
Dr. Cooke’s impressive credentials include a B.S. in psychology from UC Davis, a DDS from UCLA, and a certificate in orthodontics from UCSF. Following her residency at UCSF, Cooke bought Dr. Beglin’s practice and hasn’t looked back. “It was the alumni at UCSF that made this possible – they mentored me on all the practical considerations involved with owning an orthodontics business so that I was able to manage a practice from the get-go,” said Cooke.
Cooke Orthodontics treats patients of every age, from 4-year-olds to those upward of 80 years. Available to each potential patient is a free consultation to evaluate the situation and advise a path forward. Once a patient has decided to have the needed work done, Cooke’s team creates a detailed treatment plan, which is then expertly executed by her highly qualified staff, always with her oversight and guidance.
The practice’s most popular treatments include traditional braces and Invisalign, a series of clear, removable aligners that straighten teeth without the use of brackets and wires. The cost of both forms of treatment is nearly the same, and Dr. Cooke advises as to which is most appropriate for each patient, depending on the severity of the orthodontic corrections needed.
Dr. Cooke also recommends early orthodontics, beginning at age seven. At that tender age, an evaluation should be done to determine if the jaw is developing properly and whether there are too many or too few teeth. Cooke also checks for sleep-disordered breathing, which can be a serious issue should it go undetected and untreated.
Adult orthodontics is another cornerstone of Cooke’s practice. Adults who may have avoided corrections in the past are encouraged to make them in later life to prevent enamel from wearing down and to keep a misaligned bite from continuing to traumatize teeth and strain gums. Ignoring these problems can lead to root canals, bridges, implants, and other unpleasant procedures down the road.
Dr. Cooke noted that the importance of orthodontics extends well beyond simple teeth straightening. She said, “We consider our treatments important in a holistic plan for optimal well-being. Properly aligned teeth and a healthy mouth give patients confidence, which in turn makes them more invested in their overall health.”
